In honor of Pride Month, the Arab Film Series presents: Who We Are a collection of award-winning short films that highlight the experiences of Queer Arabs around the globe. Each film tells the story of a character whose desire to live authentically comes in conflict with the people and society around them. But this isn't a program dedicated simply to the struggles of the queer Arab community, but rather to the freedom and joy that can come from taking the risk and being honest with both oneself and those who love us.
On the eve of her sister’s wedding, Karina brings her “best friend” home to meet the family. When the groom-to-be joins them, she is reminded of her family’s expectations and her queer anxieties begin to unravel in a film that blurs the line between fiction and reality.
About the filmmaker:
Karina Dandashi is a queer Syrian-American Muslim writer, director, and actor born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA. Her films explore nuances in identity through the intersection of family, religion, and culture in Southwest Asian and North African (SWANA) and Muslim communities in America.
Karina is a 2020 Creative Culture Fellow at The Jacob Burns Film Center and a 2021 Sundance Ignite Fellow. She was featured inMarie Claire’s inaugural Creators Issue as one of the “Top 21 Creators to Watch”. She is currently writing her first feature film.
- Year2022
- Runtime13 minutes
- LanguageEnglish
- CountryUnited States
- DirectorKarina Dandashi
- ScreenwriterKarina Dandashi
- ProducerAya Hamdan
- Co-ProducerMunir Atalla
- CastKarina Dandashi, Nadia Dandashi, Zayn Alexander
In honor of Pride Month, the Arab Film Series presents: Who We Are a collection of award-winning short films that highlight the experiences of Queer Arabs around the globe. Each film tells the story of a character whose desire to live authentically comes in conflict with the people and society around them. But this isn't a program dedicated simply to the struggles of the queer Arab community, but rather to the freedom and joy that can come from taking the risk and being honest with both oneself and those who love us.
On the eve of her sister’s wedding, Karina brings her “best friend” home to meet the family. When the groom-to-be joins them, she is reminded of her family’s expectations and her queer anxieties begin to unravel in a film that blurs the line between fiction and reality.
About the filmmaker:
Karina Dandashi is a queer Syrian-American Muslim writer, director, and actor born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA. Her films explore nuances in identity through the intersection of family, religion, and culture in Southwest Asian and North African (SWANA) and Muslim communities in America.
Karina is a 2020 Creative Culture Fellow at The Jacob Burns Film Center and a 2021 Sundance Ignite Fellow. She was featured inMarie Claire’s inaugural Creators Issue as one of the “Top 21 Creators to Watch”. She is currently writing her first feature film.
- Year2022
- Runtime13 minutes
- LanguageEnglish
- CountryUnited States
- DirectorKarina Dandashi
- ScreenwriterKarina Dandashi
- ProducerAya Hamdan
- Co-ProducerMunir Atalla
- CastKarina Dandashi, Nadia Dandashi, Zayn Alexander